Saudi Arabia to introduce physical education in girls' schools


Riyadh, Jul 12 (IANS): The Saudi Arabian minister of education decided on Tuesday to start a physical education program in girls' schools for the first time in Saudi Arabia, starting in the next school year.

In a statement published by the Saudi press, Ahmed Al-Eissa said that the programme is designed according to the rules of sharia (Islamic law) and will be applied gradually according to the logistics of each school, until facilities in schools are prepared to accommodate such a programme.

The ministerial decision also includes the formation of a committee to oversee the program and work with universities to prepare women specialists who will contribute to the introduction of the innovative plan.

In the ultra-conservative country, these types of classes were banned until in 2013 the ministry of education announced that it was developing this program and training 9,000 physical education teachers.

In recent months, local NGOs have pressured the authorities to start the program as soon as possible, as the rate of obesity among women has reached 62 percent.

In Saudi Arabia, women cannot drive or travel outside the country without a family member or guardian, among other restrictions that greatly limit their participation in social life and in the public sphere.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Rita, Germany

    Thu, Jul 13 2017

    A good thought.Afterall physical education leads to a healthy person.A healthy citizen means a healthy nation.When one is healthy needs no or less medication,healthy children.Healthy person also has to control over his food ,health,and move ments.Brain also works fast when one is healthy.Heart cases ,and diabetes will reduce in future I am sure.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Bengaluru/Katapadi

    Wed, Jul 12 2017

    Great step and improvement from Saudi to bring the girls to lime light

    DisAgree [6] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse


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